Shield Structure for Pressure Sensor, and Pressure Sensor Provided with Same

ABSTRACT

In a pressure sensor, a cap-shaped shielding member (17) to block an electric field undesirable for a signal processing electronic circuit unit of a sensor chip (16) is supported by an end surface of a disk conductive plate (19) between one end surface of the sensor chip (16) in a liquid sealing chamber (13) and a diaphragm (32). The conductive plate (19) is electrically connected via a group of input-output terminals (40ai) and bonding wires (Wi), for example, and the sensor chip 16 is supported by one end portion of a chip mounting member (18) which is electrically connected via the group of input and output terminals (40ai) and the bonding wires (Wi).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shield structure for a pressuresensor and a pressure sensor provided with the same.

BACKGROUND ART

As shown in PATENT DOCUMENT 1, for example, a sensor unit to be built ina liquid sealing semiconductor pressure sensor comprises, as its mainelements: a metallic diaphragm supported inside a joint and configuredto isolate a pressure detection chamber from a liquid sealing chamber tobe described below; the liquid sealing chamber formed above the metallicdiaphragm and configured to accommodate a silicone oil serving as apressure transmitting medium; a sensor chip provided in the liquidsealing chamber and configured to detect a variation in pressure in thesilicone oil via the metallic diaphragm; a sensor chip mounting memberconfigured to support the sensor chip; a hermetic glass configured toestablish hermetic seal around the sensor chip mounting member in athrough hole of a housing; and a group of terminals (lead pins)configured to send an output signal from the sensor chip and to supplyelectric power to the sensor chip.

In the above-described configuration, the metallic diaphragm, a baseplate, and the joint are connected to one another at the same electricpotential while these regions are insulated from the sensor chip. In acase where a primary power supply being a power source is insufficientlyinsulated from a secondary power supply being a control circuit toprocess the output signal from the sensor chip, an electric potentialdifference occurs between the metallic diaphragm and the sensor chip,which are located opposite to each other, because impedance on thesensor chip side is higher. To avoid an effect (a variation in outputfrom the pressure sensor) on an electronic circuit and on a non-volatilememory in such a sensor chip attributed to electric potential differenceoccurring both on the metallic diaphragm and on the sensor chip,provision of a metallic lower plate and a metallic member provided on anend surface of a hermetic glass in such a way as to surround the sensorchip and to define a cylindrical space has been proposed as shown inPATENT DOCUMENT 1, for example. The sensor chip is electricallyconnected to lead pins and a metallic member, which are coupled via apresser plate to a zero potential of an electronic circuit that isintegrated in the sensor chip. Hereby, because the electric potentialsof the lower plate and the metallic member become equal to the zeropotential of the electronic circuit of the sensor chip located in thespace surrounded by the lower plate and the metallic member, there is nodifference in electric potential between the metallic diaphragm and thesensor chip. Accordingly, there is no risk of occurrence of an electricfield that may affect the electronic circuit of the sensor chip.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent No. 3,987,386

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In addition, as a measure in this case, it can be considered that theway connecting the lead pins to the zero potential of the electroniccircuit integrated in the sensor chip is available by further disposinga presser plate like the one mentioned above, which is to be connectedto lead pins projecting from another end surface of the hermetic glasslocated away from the aforementioned liquid sealing chamber, orachieving electrical connection to the lead pins in another process, forexample.

However, the above measure is inadvisable because the necessities of thearrangement of the additional presser plate and the operation to connectthe lead pins to the presser plate result in an increase in the numberof components of the pressure sensor and an increase in the number ofassembly operation processes.

In view of the above-described problem, the present invention aims toprovide a shield structure for a pressure sensor and a pressure sensorprovided with the same. The shield structure for a pressure sensor and apressure sensor provided with the same can reduce an effect of anelectric field occurring between a sensor chip and a metallic diaphragmin the pressure sensor without causing increases in the number ofcomponents and in assembly operation processes.

To achieve the above-described object, a shield structure for a pressuresensor according to the present invention comprises: a sensor unitincluding a sensor chip for detecting a pressure and sending a detectionoutput signal, a chip mounting member supporting the sensor chip, adiaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which the sensorchip and the chip mounting member are placed into a pressure chamberfacing the liquid sealing chamber, and a group of input-output terminalssupported by a hermetic glass and electrically connected to the sensorchip; and an electric field blocking member placed between one endsurface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and thediaphragm by being supported from a conductive plate electricallyconnected to the group of input-output terminals, and for blocking anelectric field acting on a signal processing electronic circuit unit ofthe sensor chip. The conductive plate may be placed on an end surface ofthe hermetic glass and electrically connected to the group ofinput-output terminals. The conductive plate and the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip may have an equal electricpotential.

In addition, another shield structure for a pressure sensor according tothe present invention comprises: a sensor unit including a sensor chipfor detecting a pressure and sending a detection output signal, adiaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which the sensorchip is placed into a pressure chamber facing the liquid sealingchamber, and a group of input-output terminals electrically connected tothe sensor chip; and an electric field blocking member placed betweenone end surface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and thediaphragm by being supported from a conductive plate electricallyconnected to the group of input-output terminals, and for blocking anelectric field acting on a signal processing electronic circuit unit ofthe sensor chip. The conductive plate may be placed on an innerperipheral surface of a sensor housing that accommodates the sensor unitand electrically connected to the group of input-output terminals. Theconductive plate and the signal processing electronic circuit unit ofthe sensor chip may have an equal electric potential.

Moreover, another shield structure for a pressure sensor according tothe present invention comprises: a sensor unit including a sensor chipfor detecting a pressure and sending a detection output signal, a chipmounting member supporting the sensor chip, a diaphragm for partitioninga liquid sealing chamber which the sensor chip and the chip mountingmember are placed into a pressure chamber facing the liquid sealingchamber, and a group of input-output terminals supported by a hermeticglass and electrically connected to the sensor chip; and an electricfield blocking member placed between one end surface of the sensor chipin the liquid sealing chamber and the diaphragm by being placed on anend surface of the hermetic glass and electrically connected to thegroup of input-output terminals, and for blocking an electric fieldacting on a signal processing electronic circuit unit of the sensorchip. The electric field blocking member and the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip may have an equal electricpotential.

Furthermore, another shield structure for a pressure sensor according tothe present invention comprises: a sensor unit including a sensor chipfor detecting a pressure and sending a detection output signal, a chipmounting member supporting the sensor chip, a diaphragm for partitioninga liquid sealing chamber which the sensor chip and the chip mountingmember are placed into a pressure chamber facing the liquid sealingchamber, and a group of input-output terminals electrically connected tothe sensor chip and to the chip mounting member; and an electric fieldblocking member placed between one end surface of the sensor chip in theliquid sealing chamber and the diaphragm by being provided on an endsurface of the chip mounting member and electrically connected to thegroup of input-output terminals, and for blocking an electric fieldacting on a signal processing electronic circuit unit of the sensorchip. The electric field blocking member and the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip may have an equal electricpotential.

A pressure sensor according to the present invention comprises: a sensorunit including a sensor chip for detecting a pressure and sending adetection output signal, a chip mounting member supporting the sensorchip, a diaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which thesensor chip and the chip mounting member are placed into a pressurechamber facing the liquid sealing chamber, and a group of input-outputterminals supported by a hermetic glass and electrically connected tothe sensor chip; an electric field blocking member placed between oneend surface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and thediaphragm by being supported from a conductive plate electricallyconnected to the group of input-output terminals, and for blocking anelectric field acting on a signal processing electronic circuit unit ofthe sensor chip; and a sensor unit accommodating portion storing thesensor unit and the electric field blocking member.

Hereby, another pressure sensor according to the present inventioncomprises: a sensor unit including a sensor chip for detecting apressure and sending a detection output signal, a diaphragm forpartitioning a liquid sealing chamber which the sensor chip is placedinto a pressure chamber facing the liquid sealing chamber, and a groupof input-output terminals electrically connected to the sensor chip; anelectric field blocking member placed between one end surface of thesensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and the diaphragm by beingsupported from a conductive plate electrically connected to the group ofinput-output terminals, and for blocking an electric field acting on asignal processing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip; and asensor unit accommodating portion storing the sensor unit and theelectric field blocking member. The electric field blocking member andthe signal processing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip mayhave an equal electric potential.

The shield structure for a pressure sensor and the pressure sensorprovided with the same according to the present invention include theelectric field blocking member which is placed between the one endsurface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and thediaphragm by being supported from the conductive plate electricallyconnected to the group of input-output terminals and for blocking anelectric field acting on the signal processing electronic circuit unitof the sensor chip. Thus, it is possible to reduce an effect of anelectric field occurring between a sensor chip and a metallic diaphragmin a pressure sensor without causing increases in the number ofcomponents and in assembly operation processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the essential parts of anexample of a shield structure for a pressure sensor according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an arrow view of an electric field blocking member provided ina liquid sealing chamber, which is viewed from an arrow illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an exampleof a pressure sensor applying the example of the shield structure for apressure sensor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the essential parts of anotherexample of the shield structure for a pressure sensor according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view showing a partial enlarged portion Vin the example shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an arrow view of the electric field blocking member providedin the liquid sealing chamber, which is viewed from an arrow illustratedin FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the essential parts of stillanother example of the shield structure for a pressure sensor accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the electric field blocking member in theliquid sealing chamber in the example shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the essential parts of stillanother example of the shield structure for a pressure sensor accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view showing a partial enlarged portion Xin the example shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an arrow view of the electric field blocking member providedin the liquid sealing chamber, which is viewed from an arrow illustratedin FIG. 10.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing another example of a conductiveplate used in the example shown in FIG. 7 inclusive of a partialcross-section.

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which theconductive plate shown in FIG. 12A is attached to a sensor housing.

FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of theconductive plate used in the example shown in FIG. 7 in a state of beingattached to the sensor housing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a configuration of a pressure sensorapplying an example of a shield structure for a pressure sensoraccording to the present invention.

In FIG. 3, a pressure sensor comprises: a joint member 30 to be coupledto a piping into which a fluid supposed to undergo pressure detection isintroduced; and a sensor unit accommodating portion which is joined to abase plate 28 of the joint member 30 by brazing or the like, forexample, accommodates a sensor unit to be described later, and suppliesa detection output signal from the sensor chip to a given pressuremeasurement apparatus.

The joint member 30 made of metal has a female screw portion 30 fs onits inside to be screwed into a male screw portion of a connectorportion of the aforementioned piping. The female screw portion 30 fs iscommunicated with a port 30 a of the joint member 30 which brings thefluid supplied in a direction indicated with an arrow P to a pressurechamber 28A to be described later. One of open ends of the port 30 a isopen toward the pressure chamber 28A formed between the base plate 28 ofthe joint member 30 and a diaphragm 32 of the sensor unit.

A contour portion of the sensor unit accommodating portion is formed asa cover member from a cylindrical waterproof case 20. An opening 20 b isformed at a lower end portion of the waterproof case 20 that is made ofresin. A peripheral edge portion of the base plate 28 of the jointmember 30 is engaged with a stepped portion on a peripheral edge of theopening 20 b inside the case 20.

A pressure of the fluid is brought into the pressure chamber 28A throughthe port 30 a of the joint member 30.

A lower end surface of a housing 12 of the sensor unit is coupled bywelding to the peripheral edge portion of the base plate 28.

The sensor unit for detecting the pressure inside the pressure chamber28A and sending a detection output signal comprises, as its mainelements, the cylindrical housing 12 made of metal, the diaphragm 32made of metal and configured to isolate the pressure chamber 28A from aninner peripheral portion of the housing 12, a sensor chip 16 providedwith a plurality of pressure detection elements and a signal processingelectronic circuit unit to process signals from the pressure detectionelements, a chip mounting member 18 made of metal and configured tosupport the sensor chip 16 at an end portion through an adhesive layer50, a group of input-output terminals 40 ai (i=1 to 8) electricallyconnected to the sensor chip 16, and a hermetic glass 14 configured tofix the group of input-output terminals 40 ai and an oil filling pipe 44to a portion between an outer peripheral surface of the chip mountingmember 18 and an inner peripheral surface of the housing 12.

The diaphragm 32 is supported by one lower end surface of the housing 12face to face relationship with the above-mentioned pressure chamber 28A.A diaphragm protection cover 34 to protect the diaphragm 32 provided inthe pressure chamber 28A has a plurality of communication holes 34 a. Aperipheral edge of the diaphragm protection cover 34 is joined bywelding to the lower end surface of the housing 12 together with aperipheral edge of the diaphragm 32. The housing 12, the diaphragm 32,the base plate 28, and the joint member 30 are connected to andconducted with one another and therefore have the same electricpotential. In addition, the group of input-output terminals 40 ai andthe chip mounting member 18 are held by being insulated from the housing12 by using an insulator such as the hermetic glass 14.

A liquid sealing chamber 13 formed between the diaphragm 32 made ofmetal and the sensor chip 16, an end surface of the hermetic glass 14face to face relationship with the diaphragm 32 is filled with apredetermined amount of a pressure transmitting medium PM such as asilicone oil and a fluorine-based inert liquid via the oil filling pipe44. Note that one end portion of the oil filling pipe 44 is squashed andoccluded after the oil filling as indicated with chain double-dashedlines.

The group of input-output terminals 40 ai (i=1 to 8) is comprised of twopower supply terminals, one output terminal, and five adjustmentterminals. Both end portions of each terminal project from an endportion of the above-mentioned hermetic glass 14 toward the liquidsealing chamber 13 or toward a hole 24 b in a terminal block 24 to bedescribed later. The two power supply terminals and the one outputterminal are connected to core wires 38 a of respective lead wires 38through connection terminals 36. Each lead wire 38 is connected to apredetermined pressure measurement apparatus, for example. Note thatFIG. 3 illustrates only four terminals out of the eight terminals. Thegroup of input-output terminals 40 ai are connected to the sensor chip16 to be described later by using bonding wires Wi.

The terminal block 24 to align the group of input-output terminals 40 aiis molded by using a resin material such as polybutylene terephthalate(PBT) as a key component. The terminal block 24 has the plurality ofholes 24 b into which the group of input-output terminals 40 ai areinserted, and a hollow portion 24A having a predetermined volume inside.A terminal alignment portion 24T has the plurality of holes 24 b locatedaway from one another and is integrally molded in such a way as toorthogonally intersect the above-mentioned base end portion. A lower endsurface of the base end portion of the terminal block 24 as an adhesionsurface is attached to an upper end surface of the housing 12 by using asilicone-based adhesive. Hereby, an annular adhesive layer 10 a having apredetermined thickness is formed on the upper end surface of thehousing 12. Further, a coating layer 10 b made of a silicone-basedadhesive is formed in a predetermined thickness on the entire upper endsurface of the hermetic glass 14 from which the group of input-outputterminals 40 ai project.

A space between an inner peripheral surface of the waterproof case 20and an outer peripheral surface of the terminal block 24 serving as aterminal alignment member as well as an outer peripheral surface of anend cap 22 connected to the terminal block 24 and covering the holes 24b in the terminal alignment portion 24T mentioned above as well as anopen end at an upper part of the terminal block 24, and a space betweenthe inner peripheral surface of the waterproof case 20 and an outerperipheral surface of the housing 12 are filled with a given amount of asealing medium 26. The terminal block 24 and the end cap 22 are facingthe base plate 28 of the joint member 30 while interposing theabove-described sensor unit and are disposed in the waterproof case 20.An upper end surface of the end cap 22 projects upward from an open endof the waterproof case 20. Namely, a position of the upper end surfaceof the end cap 22 is located at a higher position than a position of anopen end surface of the waterproof case 20.

The sensor chip 16 is adhered to one end portion of the chip mountingmember 18 located inside the liquid sealing chamber 13 through theadhesive layer 50, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, an external size ofthe sensor chip 16 having a substantially rectangular shape is setlarger than a diameter of the chip mounting member 18.

In the liquid sealing chamber 13, a disk conductive plate 19 issupported by one of end surfaces of the hermetic glass 14 in such a wayas to surround the sensor chip 16, for example. The conductive plate 19is made of an insulating material which is one of resin, glass, andceramic, and one of end surfaces thereof is formed out of a metallicfilm and integrated with the metallic film of gold, silver, copper,aluminum, or the like serving as a conductive layer, which is formed byadherence, vapor deposition, plating, or the like. The one end surfaceof the conductive plate 19 provided with the conductive layer asmentioned above is opposed to the diaphragm 32 and the other end surfacebeing an insulating layer of the conductive plate 19 is supported by thehermetic glass 14.

In addition, a shielding member 17 serving as an electric field blockingmember is provided between one of end surfaces of the sensor chip 16 andthe diaphragm 32 in the liquid sealing chamber 13. The shielding member17 is configured to block an electric field undesirable for the signalprocessing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16.

The shielding member 17 may be formed from a conductive metal materialsuch as stainless steel, copper, and aluminum, for example. Further, theshielding member 17 may be formed from an insulating material such asresin, glass, and ceramic with its surface layer being provided andintegrated with film-formed conductive metal by adhesion, vapordeposition, sputtering, plating, and the like, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, four fixing end portions of the cap-shaped shieldingmember 17 are brought close to an outer peripheral portion of the sensorchip 16 on the one end surface of the disk conductive plate 19, and arejoined to and conducted with the outer peripheral portion. Althoughillustration is omitted, a plurality of openings are provided in a sidesurface of the shielding member 17. A shape of the shielding member 17is formed into a shape that enables the pressure transmitting medium PMto move such that a pressure in accordance with a displacement of thediaphragm 32 propagates to the sensor chip 16 through the pressuretransmitting medium PM.

The conductive plate 19 is connected to and conducted with one or moreof the group of input-output terminals 40 ai through e.g. a zero (V)terminal and the bonding wire Wi. According to this configurationdescribed above, the electric potentials of the shielding member 17 andthe conductive plate 19 are set to the same electric potential as thatof the electronic circuit mounted in the sensor chip 16.

A predetermined clearance is formed between a portion of the shieldingmember 17 covering the entire sensor chip 16 and the end surface of thesensor chip 16. Note that an external size of the shielding member 17may be appropriately set according to the size of the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16 so as to block theelectric field undesirable for the signal processing electronic circuitunit of the sensor chip 16.

Accordingly, as a consequence of disposing the shielding member 17having the same electric potential as the electric potential of thesensor chip 16 between the diaphragm 32 and the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16, an electric field to acton the sensor chip 16, which occurs due to a potential differencebetween the diaphragm 32 having the same electric potential as that of aprimary power supply (not shown) of the unit and a control circuit (notshown) side, is blocked by the shielding member 17. Moreover, since theelectric potential of the shielding member 17 and that of the sensorchip 16 are set to the same electric potential, no electric field occurstherebetween. For this reason, because the potential difference thatoccurs between the sensor chip 16 and the diaphragm 32 does not act onthe sensor chip 16, it is possible to prevent an effect on theelectronic circuit in the sensor chip 16.

FIG. 4 partially shows the essential parts of the pressure sensorapplying another example of the shield structure for a pressure sensoraccording to the present invention.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the four fixing end portions of thecap-shaped shielding member 17 are brought close to the outer peripheralportion of the sensor chip 16 on the end surface of the disk conductiveplate 19 and are joined to the end surface, for example. Instead, anexample shown in FIG. 4 is designed such that a shielding plate 48 issupported on the end surface of the hermetic glass 14 in the liquidsealing chamber 13.

Note that constituents in FIGS. 4 to 6 which are the same as theconstituents in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be indicated bythe similar reference characters and overlapping explanations thereofwill be omitted.

Though the illustration is omitted, this pressure sensor also comprises:a joint member to be coupled to a piping into which a fluid supposed toundergo pressure detection is introduced; and a sensor unitaccommodating portion which is joined to a base plate of the jointmember, accommodates a sensor unit to be described later, and supplies adetection output signal from the sensor chip to a given pressuremeasurement apparatus.

The shielding plate 48 serving as the electric field blocking member isprovided between the one end surface of the sensor chip 16 and thediaphragm 32 in the liquid sealing chamber 13. The shielding plate 48 isconfigured to block an electric field undesirable for the signalprocessing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16. The shieldingplate 48 may be formed from a conductive metal material such asstainless steel, copper, and aluminum, for example. Alternatively, theshielding plate 48 may be formed from an insulating material such asresin, glass, and ceramic with one of its surface layers being formedand integrated with a conductive layer of conductive metal formed byadhesion, vapor deposition, sputtering, plating, and the like. As shownin FIG. 6, the strip-shaped shielding plate 48 comprises a trench-shapedportion 48A facing the one end surface of the sensor chip 16, and afirst fixing portion 48B and a second fixing portion 48C continued toboth end portions of the trench-shaped portion 48A. The trench-shapedportion 48A, the first fixing portion 48B, and the second fixing portion48C are integrally molded by press work, for example. The trench-shapedportion 48A passes immediately above a central part of the sensor chip16 with a predetermined clearance. The oil filling pipe 44 ispress-fitted into a hole 48 b in the first fixing portion 48B, and therespective group of input-output terminals 40 ai projecting from the endsurface of the hermetic glass 14 are inserted into holes 48 f and 48 dand a notch portion 48 e of the second fixing portion 48C. Hereby, thefirst fixing portion 48B and the second fixing portion 48C come close tothe outer peripheral portion of the sensor chip 16 at the one endportion of the chip mounting member 18 and come into contact with andget supported by the end surface of the hermetic glass 14.

The second fixing portion 48C is conducted with one of the group ofinput-output terminals 40 ai, e.g. the zero (V) terminal, which areconnected to the one end surface being a conductive surface of theshielding plate 48 through the bonding wire Wi. According to thisconfiguration described above, the electric potential of the conductivesurface being the one end surface of the shielding plate 48 is set tothe same electric potential as that of the electronic circuit mounted inthe sensor chip 16.

Note that an external size and a width dimension of the shielding plate48 may be appropriately set depending on the size of the signalprocessing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16 so as to blockthe electric field undesirable for the signal processing electroniccircuit unit of the sensor chip 16.

Accordingly, as a consequence of disposing the shielding plate 48 havingthe same electric potential as that of signal processing electroniccircuit unit of the sensor chip 16 between the diaphragm 32 and thesensor chip 16, an electric field to act on the sensor chip 16, whichoccurs due to the potential difference between the diaphragm 32 havingthe same electric potential as that of the primary power supply (notshown) of the unit and the control circuit (not shown) side, is blockedby the shielding plate 48. Moreover, since the electric potential of theshielding plate 48 and that of the sensor chip 16 are set to the sameelectric potential, no electric field occurs therebetween. For thisreason, because the potential difference that occurs between the sensorchip 16 and the diaphragm 32 does not act on the sensor chip 16, it ispossible to prevent the effect on the electronic circuit in the sensorchip 16.

FIG. 7 partially shows a configuration of the pressure sensor applyingstill another example of the shield structure for a pressure sensoraccording to the present invention.

A pressure sensor shown in FIG. 7 comprises: a joint member 60 to becoupled to a piping into which a fluid supposed to undergo pressuredetection is introduced; and a sensor housing 56 made of metal, joinedto the joint member 60 and a base plate 58 by brazing or the like, andconfigured to accommodate a sensor unit to be described later.

One of open ends of a port 60 a of the joint member 60 is open toward apressure chamber 58A formed between the base plate 58 of the jointmember 60 and a diaphragm 70 of the sensor unit.

The sensor unit for detecting a pressure inside the pressure chamber 58Aand sending a detection output signal comprises, as its main elements,the diaphragm 70 made of metal and configured to isolate the pressurechamber 58A from an inner peripheral portion of the sensor housing 56, asensor chip 66 provided with a plurality of pressure detection elementsand a signal processing electronic circuit unit to process signals fromthe pressure detection elements, a conductive plate 62 provided with ahole into which an outer peripheral portion of the sensor chip 66 isinserted and configured to surround the sensor chip 66, and a group ofinput-output terminals 54 ai (i=1 to 8) electrically connected to thesensor chip 66.

The diaphragm 70 made of metal is welded and fixed between a joining endof the sensor housing 56 mentioned above and a joining end of the baseplate 58. As a consequence, the electric potential of the sensor housing56 is set to the same electric potential as the electric potentials ofthe diaphragm 70 and the like because the sensor housing 56 is connectedto and conducted with the diaphragm 70, the base plate 58, and the jointmember 60.

A liquid sealing chamber 68 which is a hermetically sealed space formedfrom the diaphragm 70 and the inner peripheral portion of the sensorhousing 56 is filled with a predetermined amount of the pressuretransmitting medium PM such as a silicone oil and a fluorine-based inertliquid. After the pressure transmitting medium PM is put in via a hole56 a in the sensor housing 56, the hole 56 a is closed with a plugmember 52. The group of input-output terminals 54 ai are supported whilebeing insulated from the sensor housing 56 by using hermetic glass 65(see FIG. 8). The group of input-output terminals 54 ai are connected tothe sensor chip 66 by using the bonding wires Wi.

In the liquid sealing chamber 68, the rectangular conductive plate 62 issupported by an inner peripheral surface of the sensor housing 56 insuch a way as to surround the sensor chip 66, for example. Theconductive plate 62 is made of an insulating material which is one ofresin, glass, and ceramic, and one of end surfaces thereof is formed outof a metallic film and integrated with the metallic film of gold,silver, copper, aluminum, or the like serving as a conductive layer,which is formed by adherence, vapor deposition, plating, or the like.The one end surface of the conductive plate 62 being the conductivelayer is opposed to the diaphragm 70 and the other end surface being aninsulating layer is supported by the sensor housing 56. In addition, ashielding member 64 serving as the electric field blocking member isprovided between one of end surfaces of the sensor chip 66 and thediaphragm 70 in the liquid sealing chamber 68.

Moreover, the conductive plate may be comprised of a core member 63 madeof an insulating material and a cover member 67 made of a conductivematerial and configured to cover the core member 63 as shown in FIG.12A, for example. Note that illustration of the shielding member 64 isomitted in FIGS. 12A to 12C.

The annular core member 63 has a stepped portion 63R provided on aninner peripheral edge portion and located adjacent to one end surface.The cover member 67 comprises a disk portion 67A that covers the otherend surface of the core member 63 facing the diaphragm 70, an innerperipheral edge portion 67C continued to the disk portion 67A andconfigured to cover an inner peripheral portion of the core member 63,and a fixing portion 67B continued to the inner peripheral edge portion67C and fixed to the stepped portion 63R of the core member 63 by swageprocessing. The one end surface of the core member 63 of the conductiveplate is adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the sensor housing56. At that time, as shown in FIG. 12B, predetermined clearances areformed between the fixing portion 67B of the cover member 67 in theconductive plate and the inner peripheral surface of the sensor housing56 as well as between an outer peripheral surface of the sensor chip 66and the inner peripheral edge portion 67C of the cover member 67 in theconductive plate, thus preventing the sensor housing 56 from coming intocontact with the cover member 67.

Furthermore, the conductive plate may be comprised of a core member 63′made of an insulating material and a cover member 67′ made of aconductive material and configured to cover the core member 63′ as shownin FIG. 12C, for example. The annular core member 63′ has a thinoverhang portion 63′F provided on an outer peripheral edge portion. Thecover member 67′ comprises a disk portion 67′A that covers the other endsurface of the core member 63′ facing the diaphragm 70, an outerperipheral edge portion 67′C continued to the disk portion 67′A andconfigured to cover an outer peripheral portion of the overhang portion63′F of the core member 63′, and a fixing portion 67′B continued to theouter peripheral edge portion 67′C and fixed to one of end surfaces ofthe overhang portion 63′F of the core member 63′ by swage processing. Anend surface around an inner peripheral edge portion of the core member63′ of the conductive plate is adhered to the inner peripheral surfaceof the sensor housing 56. At that time, as shown in FIG. 12C,predetermined clearances are formed between the fixing portion 67′B ofthe cover member 67′ in the conductive plate and the inner peripheralsurface of the sensor housing 56, as well as between the outerperipheral surface of the sensor chip 66 and an inner peripheral edgeportion 67′a of the cover member 67′ in the conductive plate as well asan inner peripheral surface of the core member 63′, thus preventing thesensor housing 56 from coming into contact with the cover member 67′.

The shielding member 64 may be formed from a conductive metal materialsuch as stainless steel, copper, and aluminum, for example.Alternatively, the shielding member 64 may be formed from an insulatingmaterial such as resin, glass, and ceramic with one of its surfacelayers being formed and integrated with a conductive metallic filmformed by adhesion, vapor deposition, sputtering, plating, and the like.That is to say, the shielding member 64 is supported by the sensorhousing 56 set to the same electric potential as a primary side electricpotential by using an insulator (the insulating layer of the conductiveplate 62).

The shielding member 64 is designed to entirely cover the one endsurface of the sensor chip 66 while providing a predetermined clearanceand thus to block an electric field undesirable for a signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 66. A pair of fixing endportions of the shielding member 64 and the conductive plate 62 arejoined to and conducted with one another through conductive surfaces.The one end surface of the conductive plate 62 being the conductivesurface is joined to and conducted with one or more of the group ofinput-output terminals 54 ai, e.g. a zero (V) group of input-outputterminals 54 ai through the bonding wire Wi. According to thisconfiguration described above, the electric potentials of the shieldingmember 64 and the conductive plate 62 are set to the same electricpotential as the electric potential of the electronic circuit mounted inthe sensor chip 66.

Accordingly, as a consequence of disposing the shielding member 64having the same electric potential as that of the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 66 between the diaphragm 70and the one end surface of the sensor chip 66, an electric field to acton the sensor chip 66, which occurs due to a potential differencebetween the diaphragm 70 having the same electric potential as that ofthe primary power supply (not shown) of the unit and the control circuit(not shown) side, is blocked by the shielding member 64. Moreover, sincethe electric potential of the shielding member 64 and the electricpotential of the sensor chip 66 are set to the same electric potential,no electric field occurs therebetween. For this reason, because thepotential difference that occurs between the sensor chip 66 and thediaphragm 70 does not act on the sensor chip 66, it is possible toprevent an effect on the electronic circuit in the sensor chip 66.

FIG. 9 partially shows the essential parts of the pressure sensorapplying still another example of the shield structure for a pressuresensor according to the present invention.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the four fixing end portions of thecap-shaped shielding member 17 are brought close to the outer peripheralportion of the sensor chip 16 on the end surface of the disk conductiveplate 19 and are joined to the end surface. Instead, an example shown inFIG. 9 is designed such that a shielding plate 17′ is joined to an endsurface of a chip mounting member 18′ facing the liquid sealing chamber13.

Note that constituents in FIGS. 9 to 11 which are the same as theconstituents in the example shown in FIG. 1 will be indicated by thesimilar reference characters and overlapping explanations thereof willbe omitted.

The sensor chip 16 is adhered to one end portion of the chip mountingmember 18′ located on the inside of the liquid sealing chamber 13through the adhesive layer 50, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, theexternal size of the sensor chip 16 having the substantially rectangularshape is set smaller than a diameter of the chip mounting member 18′.The chip mounting member 18′ is connected to and conducted with one ormore of the group of input-output terminals 40 ai, e.g. the zero (V)input-output terminal through the bonding wire Wi, for example.

The shielding plate 17′ serving as the electric field blocking member isprovided between the one end surface of the sensor chip 16 and thediaphragm 32 in the liquid sealing chamber 13. The shielding plate 17′is configured to block the electric field undesirable for the signalprocessing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16. The shieldingplate 17′ may be formed from a conductive metal material such asstainless steel, copper, and aluminum, for example. Alternatively, theshielding plate 17′ may be formed from an insulating material such asresin, glass, and ceramic with one of its surface layers being formedand integrated with a conductive metal film formed by adhesion, vapordeposition, sputtering, plating, and the like.

Fixing end portions of the strip-shaped shielding plate 17′ are broughtclose to the outer peripheral portion of the sensor chip 16 at one endportion of the chip mounting member 18′, and are joined to the endportion and conducted with the end portion. According to thisconfiguration, the electric potentials of the shielding plate 17′ andthe chip mounting member 18′ are set to the same electric potential asthe electric potential of the electronic circuit mounted in the sensorchip 16.

A predetermined clearance is formed between the one end surface of thesensor chip 16 and a portion of the shielding plate 17′ facing the oneend surface of the sensor chip 16. Note that an external size and awidth dimension of the shielding plate 17′ may be appropriately setaccording to the size of the signal processing electronic circuit unitof the sensor chip 16 so as to block the electric field undesirable forthe signal processing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16.

Further, in this case, the group of input-output terminals 40 ai and thebonding wires Wi are connected to the chip mounting member 18′. However,without limitation to this example, the group of input-output terminals40 ai and the bonding wires Wi may be connected directly to theshielding member 17′.

Accordingly, as a consequence of disposing the shielding plate 17′having the same electric potential as that of the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip 16 between the diaphragm 32and the sensor chip 16, an electric field to act on the sensor chip 16,which occurs due to the potential difference between the diaphragm 32having the same electric potential as that of the primary power supply(not shown) of the unit and the control circuit (not shown) side, isblocked by the shielding plate 17′. Moreover, since the electricpotential of the shielding plate 17′ and that of the sensor chip 16 areset to the same electric potential, no electric field occurstherebetween. For this reason, because the potential difference thatoccurs between the sensor chip 16 and the diaphragm 32 does not act onthe sensor chip 16, it is possible to prevent an effect on theelectronic circuit in the sensor chip 16.

As it is clear from the foregoing description, according to an exampleof a shield structure for a pressure sensor according to the presentinvention, an effect (a variation in output from the pressure sensor) onthe electronic circuit in the sensor chip attributed to the electricpotentials occurring between the sensor chip 16 or 66 and the diaphragm32 or 70 in the pressure sensor is avoided by using any of the shieldingplates 17′ and 48, the shielding members 17 and 64, and the conductiveplates 19 and 62. Therefore, an effect of the electric field occurringbetween the sensor chip and the metallic diaphragm in the pressuresensor will be reduced without causing increases in the number ofcomponents and in assembly operation processes.

1. A shield structure for a pressure sensor comprising: a sensor unitincluding a sensor chip for detecting a pressure and sending a detectionoutput signal, a chip mounting member supporting the sensor chip, adiaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which the sensorchip and the chip mounting member are placed into a pressure chamberfacing the liquid sealing chamber, and a group of input-output terminalssupported by a hermetic glass and electrically connected to the sensorchip; and an electric field blocking member placed between one endsurface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and thediaphragm by being supported from one end surface of a flat-shapedconductive plate having one end surface formed of a conductive layerwhich is opposed to the diaphragm and the other end surface formed of aninsulating layer supported on the hermetic glass, the electric fieldblocking member electrically connected to the group of input-outputterminals, and for blocking an electric field acting on a signalprocessing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip.
 2. The shieldstructure for a pressure sensor according to claim 1, wherein theconductive plate is placed on an end surface of the hermetic glass andis electrically connected to the group of input-output terminals.
 3. Theshield structure for a pressure sensor according to claim 2, wherein theconductive plate and the signal processing electronic circuit unit ofthe sensor chip have an equal electric potential.
 4. A shield structurefor a pressure sensor comprising: a sensor unit including a sensor chipfor detecting a pressure and sending a detection output signal, adiaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which the sensorchip is placed into a pressure chamber facing the liquid sealingchamber, and a group of input-output terminals electrically connected tothe sensor chip, a sensor housing forming the liquid sealing chamber inconjunction with the diaphragm; and an electric field blocking memberplaced between one end surface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealingchamber and the diaphragm by being supported from one end surface of aflat-shaped conductive plate having one end surface formed of aconductive layer which is opposed to the diaphragm and the other endsurface formed of an insulating layer supported on an inner peripheralsurface of the sensor housing, the electric field blocking memberelectrically connected to the group of input-output terminals, and forblocking an electric field acting on a signal processing electroniccircuit unit of the sensor chip.
 5. The shield structure for a pressuresensor according to claim 4, wherein the conductive plate is placed onan inner peripheral surface of a sensor housing that accommodates thesensor unit and is electrically connected to the group of input-outputterminals.
 6. The shield structure for a pressure sensor according toclaim 4, wherein the conductive plate and the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip have an equal electricpotential.
 7. A shield structure for a pressure sensor comprising: asensor unit including a sensor chip for detecting a pressure and sendinga detection output signal, a chip mounting member supporting the sensorchip, a diaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which thesensor chip and the chip mounting member are placed into a pressurechamber facing the liquid sealing chamber, and a group of input-outputterminals supported by a hermetic glass and electrically connected tothe sensor chip; and a strip-shaped shielding plate which is placedbetween one end surface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamberand the diaphragm and passes immediately above a central part of thesensor chip with a predetermined clearance, the strip-shaped shieldingplate having at least one fixing portion which is placed so as to comeclose to an outer peripheral portion of the sensor chip at one endportion of the chip mounting member on an end surface of the hermeticglass and is electrically connected to the group of input-outputterminals and is positioned by one input-output terminal of the group ofinput-output terminals or an oil filling pipe, and for blocking anelectric field acting on a signal processing electronic circuit unit ofthe sensor chip.
 8. The shield structure for a pressure sensor accordingto claim 7, wherein the fixing portion of the strip-shaped shieldingplate and the signal processing electronic circuit unit of the sensorchip have an equal electric potential.
 9. A shield structure for apressure sensor comprising: a sensor unit including a sensor chipconfigured for detecting a pressure and sending a detection outputsignal, a metal chip mounting member having a diameter greater than theexternal size of the sensor chip and for supporting the sensor chip, adiaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which the sensorchip and the chip mounting member are placed into a pressure chamberfacing the liquid sealing chamber, and a group of input-output terminalselectrically connected to the sensor chip and to the chip mountingmember; and an electric field blocking member fixed between one endsurface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and thediaphragm and brought close to an outer peripheral portion of the sensorchip on an end surface of the chip mounting member and electricallyconnected to the group of input-output terminals, and for blocking anelectric field acting on a signal processing electronic circuit unit ofthe sensor chip.
 10. The shield structure for a pressure sensoraccording to claim 9, wherein the electric field blocking member and thesignal processing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip have anequal electric potential.
 11. A pressure sensor comprising: a sensorunit including a sensor chip for detecting a pressure and sending adetection output signal, a chip mounting member supporting the sensorchip, a diaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamber which thesensor chip and the chip mounting member are placed into a pressurechamber facing the liquid sealing chamber, and a group of input-outputterminals supported by a hermetic glass and electrically connected tothe sensor chip; an electric field blocking member placed between oneend surface of the sensor chip in the liquid sealing chamber and thediaphragm by being supported from one end surface of a flat-shapedconductive plate having one end surface formed of a conductive layerwhich is opposed to the diaphragm and the other end surface formed of aninsulating layer supported on the hermetic glass, the electric fieldblocking member electrically connected to the group of input-outputterminals, and for blocking an electric field acting on a signalprocessing electronic circuit unit of the sensor chip; and a sensor unitaccommodating portion storing the sensor unit and the electric fieldblocking member.
 12. A pressure sensor comprising: a sensor unitincluding a sensor chip for detecting a pressure and sending a detectionoutput signal, a diaphragm for partitioning a liquid sealing chamberwhich the sensor chip is placed into a pressure chamber facing theliquid sealing chamber, and a group of input-output terminalselectrically connected to the sensor chip, a sensor housing forming theliquid sealing chamber in conjunction with the diaphragm; an electricfield blocking member placed between one end surface of the sensor chipin the liquid sealing chamber and the diaphragm by being supported fromone end surface of a flat-shaped conductive plate having one end surfaceformed of a conductive layer which is opposed to the diaphragm and theother end surface formed of an insulating layer supported on an innerperipheral surface of the sensor housing, the electric field blockingmember electrically connected to the group of input-output terminals,and for blocking an electric field acting on a signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip; and a sensor unitaccommodating portion storing the sensor unit and the electric fieldblocking member.
 13. The pressure sensor according to claim 11 or 12,wherein the electric field blocking member and the signal processingelectronic circuit unit of the sensor chip have an equal electricpotential.
 14. The pressure sensor according to claim 12, wherein theelectric field blocking member and the signal processing electroniccircuit unit of the sensor chip have an equal electric potential.